Since permission was granted for the restaurant staff at the building’s current tenants, Thomson travel agents, said they have been “constantly reassuring customers” they are not closing.

Jill Forman, retail manager at the shop, said Thomson’s lease for the building doesn’t run out until May 2018.

“We want to reassure customers we are open for business and will be for the near future,” she said.

“And following that Thomson will still have a presence on Yarm High Street for the foreseeable future.”

One of the conditions of the restaurant’s approval was that the development has to start within three years of the planning permission.

Stockton Council’s planning committee voted 7-4 to approve the plans after being told the restaurant would “support the leisure and recreation opportunities within Yarm as well as the viability and vitality of the town”.

But the restaurant proposal had caused some concern among local residents.

Thomson, on Yarm High Street, which will be staying open until May 2018, and not closing as previously reported

Eight letters of objection raised concerns including harm to a conservation area, noise and disturbance, no need for more licenced premises and no proper provision for delivers, storage of waste and dustbins.

Craig Harrison, whose home adjoins the building, said he would suffer from “noise pollution generated by diners on the other side of my bedroom wall”.

But a report to the committee said it was considered the restaurant “will not have an undue adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring properties”.

Listed building consent was also granted for the change of use of the building.

Agents for the scheme, England and Lyle, said the developer was aware of the lease issue. The firm also said it was too early to say who would run the new restaurant.